May is a month of celebrations

Saturday

Along with all the holiday observances, we also anticipate advancements and graduations from schools and colleges. May is a month of celebrations; we can experience many blessings from God.

The Easter season has been busy and full of celebration of the resurrected Christ.

This spring, the month of May offers us opportunities to celebrate Ascension Day, Mother's Day, the Day of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and Memorial Day.

Along with all the holiday observances, we also anticipate advancements and graduations from schools and colleges. May is a month of celebrations; we can experience many blessings from God.

The National Day of Prayer is May 3. Please remember to join with other believers to pray for our leaders and nation, on that day and always. Mother's Day will be Sunday, May 13, a day set aside to honor our moms and women who have nurtured and cared for us. God cares for us, just as a mother tenderly cares for her children. Honor mothers; they give us birth, and life is a gift given by God.

Christian believers

May reminds us as Christians that we hold to an Apostolic faith with all believers, which bases itself on the belief that we as the Church are the “body of Christ” — a living expression of Jesus on earth today, until His return. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he lived and did many things to prove to the disciples that he was alive in a new way.

Jesus was glorified, changed from a “flesh and blood person” to a “real-spiritual bodied person” who came to defeat sin and death. Jesus, alive, would be returning to the Heavenly Father. Jesus told the disciples that they were to be God’s witnesses. He was sending the Church, to “go into the world and make disciples” preaching and teaching, baptizing, praying for the healing of the sick, showing mercy, justice and love to all people. Jesus ascended back to heaven, leaving us to do God’s work.

The Church’s work

The Church is empowered to do God’s work. Jesus promised that as He returned to Heaven, the Holy Spirit would be sent to “fill and empower” believers to enable us to do God’s work, just as He had.

He will return

As Jesus ascended into heaven, two angels told the disciple “that this same Jesus would return” at the end of the Age. (Acts 1:1-11) Jesus' Ascension (May 17) means that we are commissioned to do God’s work, until Jesus returns.

We do not work in our own power. God gives us the power and ability to do the work by the Holy Spirit. God sent the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-11) Pentecost (May 27) is 50 days following Passover, the time of Jesus’ Resurrection.

It is a Jewish holiday, which celebrates the spring harvest. It was the day that the Holy Spirit was given to the Church. God’s power given to continue the work that Jesus had begun. We now continue the same work today, with the same Holy Spirit sent from Heaven to empower us.

Preach, teach

The Church’s task is to make disciple to “go into the entire world…” preach, teach, baptize, forgive and heal the sick in Jesus’ name. (Matthew 28:18-20) Our authority as believers comes from God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in us. The work of God The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Three in One — The Trinity — united in the Church, working in us.

Trinity Sunday (June 3) reminds us that God is at work in our world, through us the Church, the “body of Christ.” Memorial Sunday and Day (May 27-28) is a time to remember loved ones who have died. God calls the Living and those who have died, to be accountable for life.

Life of tests

Life is a series of tests and examinations. We advance and achieve in many areas of life; we all are called upon to be faithful, no matter what our job may be. To the graduates and everyone: seek God in all you do, God is at work in and through you. Be God’s witness in the world.

Blessings in the Name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.